Lavender French Seeds

Lavandula stoechas

Lavandula stoechas is a hardy evergreen perennial prized for its aromatic silver-grey foliage and distinctive flower heads topped with showy lilac bracts. Flowering from spring into summer, it grows into a compact shrub around 60–90 cm tall and is highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. The fragrant foliage has also traditionally been used to help repel moths in cupboards and linen.

Lavender common names can be confusing, as they vary between countries. In Australia and the United Kingdom, Lavandula stoechas is commonly known as French Lavender, while in the United States it is more often called Spanish Lavender. Conversely, Lavandula dentata is usually referred to as French Lavender in North America. For this reason, the botanical name is the most reliable way to identify each lavender species.

Approximately 1,000 seeds per gram
Approximately 170 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: April to July
Subtropics: March to May and August to October
Mild climates: March to May and September to November
Cold climates: September to November

Planting / Sowing

Surface sow or lightly cover seed with no more than 2–3 mm of fine seed-raising mix. Germination is often improved by refrigerating seed for 2–4 weeks before sowing. Keep the mix evenly moist but not wet and maintain temperatures of 18–22°C. Transplant seedlings into a sunny position with free-draining soil, spacing plants 40–60 cm apart. Once established, French Lavender is drought tolerant and benefits from light pruning after flowering to maintain a compact shape.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.